Welcome Kristen Sparks as TCFL Partner

July 1, 2024

St. Louis, MO – July 2, 2024 – The Center for Family Law  is pleased to announce that Attorney Kristen Sparks joined the firm in June 2024 as partner. 
 
Kristen is a 2015 graduate of the Washington University School of Law. She previously served clients at TCFL from 2013 to 2017 as a law clerk and associate.  

 

Kristen currently concentrates her practice in the areas of family law, probate, orders of protection, adoption and estate planning. She regularly serves as a Guardian ad litem in St. Louis County. Additionally, she is a certified family law Mediator, is trained in Collaborative Divorce, and is a former Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law. 
 
When asked why she chose the field of family law in particular, Kristen shared, “I’ve always been interested in the law. In high school, my favorite extracurricular was Mock Trial. In college, I went back and forth between pursuing psychology or law and ultimately decided to go into law. I find that family law combines the two interests, as mental health plays a very important role.” 

 
Throughout her career, Kristen has drawn back to invaluable advice and training she received while working with Cynthia Garnholz, who hired Kristen during her first year of law school and guided her for a decade. 

 

Kristen takes seriously the opportunity to compassionately and confidently walk her clients through extremely challenging scenarios. Revealing her heart for her clients, Kristen says, “I like knowing I’ve helped someone through a really tough period in life and helped set them up for as successful a future as possible.” 

 
True to her commitment to helping pave the way for healthier conflict resolution, Kristen has enjoyed her membership in the Collaborative Family Law Association and was elevated to the role of President of CFLA in June 2024. CFLA is a multidisciplinary group of individuals who want to achieve the best possible outcome for the entire family and provide a better alternative to traditional litigation. 


Here at The Center for Family Law, we are so grateful for Kristen’s drive to continually learn, collaborate, and find solutions for people in need. We are proud to have her as a partner on our team. 

Honoring a Leader Who Lifts Others Up: Courtney Green Receives Women's Justice Mentor Award

April 22, 2026
The Center for Family Law celebrates Courtney Green's recognition at the 2026 Missouri Lawyers Media Women’s Justice Awards in the Mentor category, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the legal profession and her commitment to the development of attorneys starting their careers. The 28th annual Women’s Justice Awards on April 16, 2026 celebrated women across Missouri who exemplify leadership, integrity, service, and excellence in advancing the quality of justice. Honorees are selected from diverse sectors of the legal community, including private practice, the judiciary, public service, academia, and nonprofit leadership. The Mentor Award is presented to experienced legal professionals who have played a meaningful role in shaping the careers of emerging attorneys. Throughout Courtney's career, which she has spent with The Center for Family Law, she has demonstrated a deep dedication to mentorship, offering guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to those entering the profession, both in and out of the firm. Courtney has been devoted to fostering professional growth and helping cultivate the confidence and skills of future leaders in the law. Please join us in congratulating Courtney on this well-deserved recognition. We are honored to have her as part of our firm and grateful for the example she sets within our profession and community.

Second Saturday Workshop - 2026 Dates

December 29, 2025
The Center for Family Law is excited to kick off its fifth year of hosting the Second Saturday Divorce Workshops and to share the 2026 workshop dates. 

Honoring Four Attorneys for 2025 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars

December 3, 2025
We are thrilled to announce that four of our attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists! This distinction honors outstanding legal professionals across the nation who demonstrate excellence in their field, and we are proud to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our team. Celebrating Our Super Lawyer Ann Bauer has once again been recognized as a Super Lawyer in Missouri & Kansas, marking her 19th consecutive year on the list. Ann’s dedication, skill, and commitment to her clients have earned her additional prestigious honors: Top 50: Women Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers – 11th year Top 50: St. Louis Super Lawyers – 7th year Ann’s recognition is a testament to her decades of experience and unwavering commitment to families and individuals navigating complex legal matters. Rising Stars of 2025 We are also proud to celebrate our three attorneys named Rising Stars this year: Allison Gerli – 8th year Kristen Sparks – 7th year Hallie Van Duren – 5th year The Rising Stars designation recognizes outstanding attorneys who are making a significant impact in their field earlier in their careers. What This Recognition Means The Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists are highly selective, recognizing only a small percentage of attorneys in each state based on peer nominations, professional achievement, and other rigorous criteria. Being named to these lists reflects the consistent excellence, skill, and dedication our attorneys bring to every case.  We are proud to have a team of legal professionals who combine experience, empathy, and expertise to serve our clients. Congratulations to Ann, Allison, Kristen, and Hallie for this well-deserved recognition!